Alderley Edge opening bat Alan Day is bowling them over at Pownall Hall School as their new cricket coach.

Alan, 24, a former King’s School pupil, who played for Cheshire throughout his youth and then spent three years in Australian club cricket, is coaching Pownall’s boys and girls in the finer arts of the game. He said: "It’s not only about instilling the proper techniques for batting and bowling, but helping them to share a passion for the game."

He is currently using soft balls and plastic bats in the indoor nets but will graduate to the hard ball when they move outside in the Spring.

Head teacher Jonathan Hall said: "With Alan’s help we hope to have a thrilling season. We are lucky to have such a talented local cricketer on our books."

Last year Alan scored a memorable 100 in the Cheshire Cup final against Elworth.